Gladys, a western lowland gorilla, was born in January at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas. She needed a surrogate mother to survive and thrive, so groups that manage North American gorillas moved her to Cincinnati in February.

Weather permitting -- 60 degrees and sunny -- Gladys will be on public display in Gorilla World's outdoor yard most afternoons.

Ten human surrogates are caring for Gladys until one of the zoo's female gorillas assumes the role of surrogate mom, a transition that could take several months.

Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered in the wild, so maintaining a captive population is crucial to the species' survival.

Ron Evans, the zoo's primate team leader, said the human surrogates' job is the "gorillification" of the 13-week-old Gladys. They will help her explore the outdoor yard by climbing trees and ducking into caves.

The most likely gorilla surrogates are Samantha, 43, and M'Linzi, 30; both are experienced moms. But two teens, Chewie and Mara, "are just infatuated with this kid," Evans said. Ultimately, "the gorillas have to decide who this baby's mom is going to be."